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The key to our humanity lies not in our genes, but in our microbes

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What if the key to improving the human species was actually… yogurt?

The fantasy of trying to improve humanity through genetics was recently stoked by the announcement of a Chinese scientist who claimed to have created the primary “CRISPR babies,” named after the technique used to edit the DNA of embryos. While there are serious ethical and regulatory concerns, fears that CRISPR will lead us to the dystopian world depicted in the film “Gattaca” are unfounded. In fact, if the movie were made today, it might probably be a story about how the federal government mandated probiotics and healthy eating.

A probiotic or yogurt drink stuffed with billions of useful bacteria.
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Eugenics is the idea that humanity could be improved through genetic manipulation. In the past, eugenic policies imposed restrictions on marriage and immigration, justified slavery and compelled sterilizations, which ultimately led to the Holocaust. I’m a physician-scientist specializing in allergies who got interested in eugenics not in skin color but in skin rashes. The most outstanding researchers studying the skin rash called eczema were convinced that the overwhelming majority of diseases were brought on by established genetic sequences. Many still do. However, like previous research on intelligence and criminal behavior, research on… eczema genetics differed significantly from the predictions of Fifteenth-century techniques.

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It should be admitted that society’s fascination with this topic is comprehensible. Commercial breaks are stuffed with pseudoscientific claims that your DNA could, for instance, reveal that you just are 12.4% Italian, 3.1% Neanderthal and 1/512 Native American. Spoiler alert: You cannot. Significant magazines, podcasts AND newspapers disproved the claim that intelligence is genetically encoded. In fact, it was explained by genetic research that was supposed to explain no less than 80 percent of being a genius only 5 percent. This implies that, at best, your genes have less of an impact in your IQ rating than your genes do good dream. But today’s misunderstanding of how complex traits are transmitted does greater than just burden society with traffickers and racists. Ignorance causes us to miss opportunities to improve health and treat disease.

Where did ideas just like the “IQ gene” come from?

Scientists studying twins have assumed that shared behavior and traits are the results of shared genes, not a shared environment.
natthawut ngoensanthia/Shutterstock.com

Most ideas about “genes” for complex traits come from twin studies, which assumed that an identical and fraternal twins would differ only in the quantity of DNA they shared. What twin researchers have either not realized or deliberately ignored is that environmental influences are also stronger in an identical twins. Because an identical twins are more likely to dress similarly and be confused with one another, they have an inclination to form twins common identity.

Thus, an identical twins are more likely than dizygotic twins to have the identical interests, eat the identical foods, and move in the identical social circles. Modern research shows that these differences result more from psychology than biology. Moreover, since an identical twins share the identical embryo sac in the uterus, their environmental exposures are also the identical more biologically similar than fraternal twins. Therefore, researchers who claim that twin study data point to genetics are misinformed at best.

What is the fashionable understanding of hereditary traits?

It could appear counterintuitive, but simply because one change can worsen a gene’s function doesn’t suggest one other change could make it stronger. When scientists say a gene “contributes to intelligence,” they mean situations in which mutations in a gene cause lack of intelligence or delays in cognitive development. They do not suggest that a special version of the gene can guarantee a university education.

Enhancing gene function is most frequently achieved through epigenetic modifications – chemical tags which might be attached to DNA but do not change the genetic code. If genes are words, sentences and paragraphs, then yes epigenetics there’s rhythm, accent and diction. It’s like Gilbert Gottfried’s Hamlet versus Benedict Cumberbatch. Although epigenetic changes could be passed from parents to children, they will also be modified by stress, eating regimen, environment and other aspects behavior. Therefore, I consider that environmental modification, not CRISPR, can be needed to enhance the overwhelming majority of genetic functions.

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Good health is influenced by many more aspects than genes.
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Another way of inheriting traits

A recently appreciated factor influencing hereditary traits is the microbiome, a term for all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses) that coexist peacefully with humans.

From a genetic standpoint, your human genes are already like that probably outnumbered over 100 to 1 by microbial genes. Modern research suggests that the microbiome could also be directly involved in various diseases, including: autism to obesity. Microbiological impact you’ll be able to pass from mother to child during i probably sooner delivery, but stays partially sensitive eating regimen AND environment into maturity.

Gut microbes are known to play a task in mental health.
Anatomy Insider/Shutterstock.com

The microbiome may even influence epigenetics. Scientists are only starting to realize the potential of microbiological methods of treating diseases. Similar to the experimental eczema treatment in our laboratory, live bacteria therapies food allergies, depression and anxiety, heart disease and chosen cancers are in development. As scientists make clear which strains of microbes are most helpful, these treatments are expected to grow to be even simpler.

Think of it this manner: current and former US presidents I share 99.9 percent genetic sequence, despite the fact that they differ by just over 0.1 percent. Therefore, modern scientists do not hide from eugenics-based ideas because they’re controversial; they reject them because they’re each “Gattaca” AND Bell curve They are to genetics what flat earthers are to astrophysics.

When carried out accurately Gene therapy offers real hope for curing rare genetic diseases, but its limitations are removed from science fiction. As one example, feeding mice one specific variety of bacteria significantly improved their memory, while genomics has failed to find any genes that may do the identical. Ancestral quacks and neo-eugenicists may deny the proven fact that persons are a product of their experiences slightly than their genetic inheritance, but perhaps their moms simply didn’t do it breastfeed them long enough.

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Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ebenezer Baptist Church Reunite

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Rev. Raphael Warnock, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ebenezer Baptist Church


Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Ebenezer Baptist Church had previously enjoyed a protracted and successful partnership. However, he fell to the margins, until the accidental meeting of the present senior pastor Ebenezer, senator Raphael Warnock and the manager director of the orchestra, Jennifer Barliament, He brought them back to the community.

According to Barliament and Reverend Warnock, they fell into one another within the Woodruff Arts Center, once within the autumn of 2024.

When the Barliament tells the story, Varnock’s love for music and art allowed the Church and the orchestra to listen to in a dormant relationship.

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“I said,” Hey, a Reverend warning, nice to satisfy you “and introduced yourself,” she remembered in the shop through the interview earlier in January. “And one thing led to another. We just had a really nice conversation about music and how much he loves music, how great acoustics in Ebenezer is and how the orchestra and the Church had this relationship in the past. And so he said: “Well, go down, let’s do something together.”

According to the musician and pedagogue, Dr. Patrice Turner, the director of the cult in Ebenezer Baptist Church, most of them are aware of the history of Ebenezer within the context of social justice, but fewer people know in regards to the wealthy musical heritage of the Church.

“People know that Ebenezer is home to social justice,” said Turner. “They know about the great proclamation that happened in this church, but they do not necessarily realize that the richness of musical production and art appeared from Ebenezer. And so this specific concert reflects it. “

Morehouse College Alum Carlos Simon, a composer whose work is included within the Turner survey within the history of music specially created to cooperate between the orchestra and the Church, said that he hopes that his music can encourage more composers to comment on social justice.

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“I think that more composers have the courage to talk about what is happening in the world, whether it’s politics or socio -economic problems, and settled in music,” said Simon. “And so that cultural awareness happens, and people, hopefully, members of the audience, will go away and say:” WOW, I had no idea, , it happened “or” I had no idea about this segment of the Black Church segment. Let me conduct research. Let me understand, perhaps go to church, and visit. So I believe there’s far more emphasis on reflecting our society. “

Reverend Dr. Bernice King, general director of King Center and the youngest child of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Coretta Scott King, discussed this yr’s topic of insights about her father’s heritage “Mission possible”, with just a few days, with just a few days after recording the concert on January 4.

The concert might be watched via GPB.org, starting on January 20.

“It is possible that we can continue to cultivate and protect freedom, justice and democracy,” said King, “If we adapt to my father’s teachings, without violence, and not just to consider. “

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Has Venus Williams just got engaged to Andrea Preti?

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After Zendaya caused rumors concerning the engagement, debuting the engagement ring on the red Golden Globe carpet – Cynthia Erivo almost did the identical on the red carmage – The Internet is speculating once more. This time, the couple is Venus Williams and its actor Beau, Andrea Preti.

The 44-year-old tennis master was Lately spotted After a training session in Rome with some recent bling on the left finger of the cordial finger, a square diamond ring.

Other photos obtained by People magazine Show Williams and 36-year-old Canoodling actor on Roman streets with a smile.

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Rumors concerning the relationship of Williams and Preti began last summer, when photos appeared that left holidays in Nerano, Italy.

The seven -time Grand Slam champion was previously romantic to the Elio PiS model in 2012 and Nicholas Hammond in 2017 (who was her date at the marriage of her younger sister Serena). After parting from Hammond in 2019, Williams accepted one life for several years.

Talking with Glamor UK She admitted about this phase: “I think it’s really easy to get stuck in one life, and sometimes – at least for me – it’s harder to get out.”

The news about possible engagement appears a couple of days after the Olympian published a romantic quote on Wednesday with Prei Instagram Stories.

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“My mother once told me:” You will at all times be a priority for individuals who really look after you. ” – Rithvik Singh “, he read the quote, according to the screenshot published on sport and entertainment, SPORTSKEED.

While Venus may be during a brand new chapter in her life, her love to play tennis at a high level stays.

In an interview with Irish news She stated that “she has not finished with the rocket yet.”

“At this point, it’s about choosing and choosing places I want to be. Last year I really wanted to play Miami – at home – because I haven’t played there for five years, “she said, adding:” It’s nice to be in the place where I can choose, but my game is always at a high level. ”

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Usher has some tips for Kendrick Lamar before Super Bowl:

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3 Reasons why you will love Cadillac Lyriq –

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General Motors (GM) entered the luxurious SUV market in your entire power plant together with the launch of Cadillac Lyriqa, marking the debut of Cadillac within the space of the electrical vehicle (EV). In addition to the limited edition, Hummer EV Lyriq is the primary predominant model of GM built on the most up-to-date Ultium platform.

Lyriq became a robust claimant on the Luxury EV market, chatting with automotive lovers who value luxury, practicality and advanced technology. According to Statement issued by GMLyriq was the perfect -selling vehicle in its class in the primary three quarters of 2024, selling over 20,000 within the USA

Lyriq is understood for 3 key aspects: scope, design and price. With EPA saving 314 miles and fast DC charging able to adding as much as 77 miles in only 10 minutes, EV offers the comfort of drivers and peace of mind for long journeys. It also has a meticulous interior designed for convenience and elegance.

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Here are three more reasons that make Lyriq a particular vehicle.

Striking style

2025 Cadillac Lyriq

Source: Internal intake of the primary row in the luxurious of Cadillac Lyriq 2025. (Cadillac/Press Room)

The brave Lyriq project distinguishes it from other EV and models of His sharp, angular lines give him a commanding presence that breaks away from soft curves. In addition, the five -pass Lyriq emanates confidence and class.

Inside, Cadillac’s involvement in premium materials takes place. The cabin has high -quality leather, layered wood and metal finishes. The 33-inch curved LED entertainment screen dominates the dashboard with clear graphics and responsive touch control elements.

Although the inside impresses with its thoughtful layout, some functions – equivalent to the requirement of the entertainment screen to open the space for storing – can irritate some drivers. On the opposite hand, climate and audio control still have touch buttons.

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In addition, the vehicle comprises safety features equivalent to vibrating alerts of seats that indicate the direction of moving vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.

Smooth ride

Source: Internal shot of the total dashboard and the center console in the luxurious of Cadillac Lyriq 2025.

Handling Lyriq is absolute joy. Although it boasts to 500 horsepower (within the AWD configuration), EV concerns a complicated flight than aggressive performance. The suspension increases the balance between firmness and forgiveness, easily supporting bumpy city roads while maintaining mastery at higher speeds. The ride is smooth on optional 22-inch wheels, and regenerative braking ensures easy acceleration.

The luxurious SUV also offers super sleeveless cruise assist in running your hands and without the usage of hands, a semi -automatic highway driving system. Super Cruise supports belt changes, overtaking and keeping the gap with precision. However, this requires the fully functioning of the built -in Google GM maps.

Inexpensive luxury

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Source: Cadillac Lyriq shot, including technology, luxurious and sports finishes. (Pressroom.gm.com)

Starting from $ 58,590 (plus the goal fee value USD 1395), Lyriq makes luxury accessible to drivers searching for completely electric sensations. Encounts, equivalent to federal tax breaks and rental offers, can even significantly reduce the worth, sometimes by as much as USD 13,000.

Drivers even have the flexibility to regulate the quantity of convenience and luxury using the next three ending options:

  1. Tech (58,590 USD): Standard functions include 20-inch wheels, a roof with a set glass, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, heated seats and wireless phone charging.
  2. Luxury (USD 62,690): Adds an adaptive cruise, 360 degree camera, environment lighting and more interior color options.
  3. Sport (USD 63,190): It is predicated on an expensive finish with more sports accents and magnificence.

Cadillac Lyriq combines the most up-to-date technology with the characteristic sophistication of Cadillac, offering a smooth, luxurious driving experience at a competitive price. Despite the limited physical control, it provides a convincing mix of favor, comfort and value. Regardless of whether you are an EV enthusiast or recent on this segment, Lyriq proves that Cadillac is seriously approaching the electrical future.

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